In September 1862, President Abraham Lincoln bore the unfathomable weight of the Civil War as no one else could. He agonized about his double sense of responsibility to human duty and Divine Power. Pressures were fierce: abolitionists demanded full freedom for all slaves, border states pushed for compromise to end the carnage, the midterms loomed—and more soldiers died every day.
In the midst of this turmoil, Lincoln penned a private reflection, later called his “Meditation on the Divine Will.”
The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true -- that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By his mere great power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.
These private musings of Lincoln were made public in 1903, when Secretary of State John Hay, Lincoln’s former secretary, read them at NY Avenue Presbyterian Church, where Lincoln had often attended.
Last month Rev. Dr. Ted Smith of Emory University spoke of this “Meditation on the Divine Will” as part of the NY Avenue Presbyterian Church McClendon Scholar in Residence Program. He emphasizes three themes in Lincoln’s words:
The will of God prevails.
God’s ways are not our ways.
Still, it matters what we do.
Smith relates Lincoln’s words to 1 Peter 4:12-19, speaking of the fiery trial that the early Christians endured—and that many of us face today. Some have suffered job loss, deportation, or loss of safety, healthcare, acceptance, or respect. Many others feel pain and confusion as we watch what is unfolding in our country, cities, and families… and we wonder what to do.
Here is the paradox I find so challenging:
People on opposite sides of political or social issues usually feel they are right and, if they are people of faith, that they are doing God’s will.
What are we to do with this tension? How can we heal the polarization and righteousness within and around us? Like Lincoln, I believe the first step is to make space for discernment. Only three weeks after writing his meditation, Lincoln wrote the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. His clarity grew from wrestling in prayer over God’s will.
Devoting time to prayer, reflection or meditation opens us to God’s input and helps us become more open, curious, and respectful of others as we strive to know God’s will for our lives.
SUGGESTIONS:
1. My personal opinion is that prioritizing quiet time every day for reflection, prayer, or meditation is mandatory if we want to know God’s will. Centering Prayer is my chosen method of quiet prayer. I encourage you to experiment and find a practice that feels right for you.
2. NY Avenue Presbyterian Church McClendon Scholar Program offers unique presentations by theologians, authors and thought leaders on topics dealing with the intersection of faith, scholarship and action.
3. The Conscious Leadership Group offers this clever 3-minute video to help us determine if we are “above the line,” meaning open, curious, and committed to learning. Or, if we are “below the line,” meaning closed, defensive, and committed to being right— even in our relationship with God. Choosing to live above the line fosters healing, individually and collectively.
God bless,
Donna
EXTRAS
Navigate our messy world with more ease in 2025!
In our FREE 10-episode video series, “Engaging with a Messy World,” Integral Coach Susan Riggs and I unlock how we can each access and embrace more grace, inner-calm, and resilience.
Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, her podcast/vlog series, “Engaging with a Messy World” and " “Pop-Up Conversations on Health of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021), a recent best-seller on Amazon, 2022 Illumination Awards Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Medal Winner, and 2022 Catholic Media Association First Place Awards.
Do you struggle with knowing for sure you are following God’s will? Abraham Lincoln offers a model for us.